Meet Giuseppe Parrinello
Meet Giuseppe Parrinello, a ceramicist and graduate of Central Saint Martins. Now based in Dalston, Giuseppe’s work can be instantly recognised with his playful (and sometimes rather NSFW) line work on beautifully crafted ceramics.
We met Giuseppe at Turning Earth in Hoxton, where he bases his practice and asked him some questions about his biggest inspirations, current works and what’s coming next.
So where did your journey start with ceramics?
‘I was first introduced to ceramics back when I was studying my art foundation. The course was focused on learning old craft techniques, in one of the modules in my first year we touched on Slip casting ceramics, which I then focused on in my final year there and then went onto study Ceramics Design at Central Saint Martins’.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
‘Well when I left University I was lucky enough to go straight to a ceramic studio and work as a technician part time. After working other jobs I decided to take the plunge about 4 years ago, in a sort of now or never moment’.
Can you tell us the process of making your work?
‘Well firstly everything you think you might know about ceramics I do the complete opposite. So no throwing, I won't be re-enacting any scenes from Ghost anytime soon.
I specialise in another field of ceramics, mould making. This means that I initially use plaster to make my work. Every shape I produce has been sculpted in plaster first. I then mark out my seam lines and encase my model in plaster. Once the model is removed I'm left with a cavity that I then pour liquid clay into, a technique called slip casting. This then takes the shape of my original piece.
Once they have dried I then take them out of the mould and they are ready for their first firing.
We always do two firings, the first is what we call a Bisque. This is a low firing at around 1000 degrees, this allows the body to harden but still be porous.
After the Bisque I then sand my pieces down so the body is extra smooth. Once smooth I can then begin to decorate with work with cobalt oxide, which is painted on.
Once I’m happy with it I can then do the final step which is to place them back in the kiln where it’ll reach 1240 degrees. At this temperature the clay vitrifies, and your left with the final product’.
What are you inspired by?
‘I'm inspired by anything classical or has references to Roman or Greek antiquity. Cliche I know coming from an Italian background but there you go’.
What visual references do you draw upon in your work?
‘When I’m looking for inspiration, visually I always seem turn to interior design. I like to design work around a space or theme. I like to collect books about private collections within prominent houses, or books on grand interior designs. There is a great book I have about the private collection of Pierre Berge and Yves Saint Laurent which if full of fabulous nic-nacs antiquities and paintings. Never ceases to inspire me when I’m designing new work’.
What’s your daily routine when working?
‘My work routine, I would say, it's usually to organise my work bench from the night before. Organised mess, loose sketches, pictures, tools and work I've made in various stages on completion.
Then I can begin to slip cast some shapes and move onto unloading kilns to decorate my work’.
How did you arrive at your current series?
‘My work for the last 2 years has centred around antiquities from the Greek to the Romans, so there seems to be a linage that jumps between the two empires.I think just by looking at images and referencing them has led me from one design to the other’.
How have things developed for you?
‘I feel fortunate in that it feels like more people are looking to buy more independently. Luckily my studio was able to stay open so it allowed me to continue making.
For me at least this was a good time to asses what direction and route I wanted to take’.
What’s next?
‘I've got three collaborations coming up this year which I'm excited about so watch this space’.
Why do what you love?
‘I believe in the philosophy that you can fail at something you don't want to do, so might as well fail at something that you love’.
What piece of your artwork would you like to be remembered for?
‘Something I’m yet still to make’.
What is your greatest indulgence in life?
‘At the minute, probably food and wine’.
Which artist past or present would you most like to meet and why?
‘Hmm maybe David Hockney. Think he would be great to have dinner with, and he could tell me stories stories about moving to LA and meeting his contemporaries’.
What’s your favourite gallery and why?
‘We are spoilt for choice here in London. I’d probably say there are two, both are old residencies in which the houses private collection is now open to the public.
The first is Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn and the second is The Wallace Collection in Marylebone’.
Do you have a favourite piece of work?
‘I just got a sketch of a Venus and Adonis in an embrace by an artist called Azem William which I’m obsessed with’.
Who should we follow on instagram?
‘Ceramic274, which is a collective of 8 London based ceramicist and artists which I am proud to be apart of’.
